The Oregon and Washington departments of fish and wildlife will host a public meeting Thursday, Nov. 17, to present data about the Columbia River sturgeon population in John Day Reservoir upstream of John Day Dam and to gain input regarding future management actions.

The meeting will occur 6-8 p.m. in the theater of McNary Dam, 82790 Devore Road in Umatilla.

At the meeting, fishery managers will present information about the population and a history of fishery management before taking questions and input from members of the public.

Part of the discussion will specifically focus on a proposal to close the catch and release season for “oversize” sturgeon immediately downstream of McNary Dam from May through July. Oversized sturgeon are those longer than 60 inches, which may not be retained or removed from the water at any time.

Comments received at the meeting will be summarized and used during discussions with both the Oregon and Washington fish and wildlife commissions Dec. 2-3 to provide guidance for future white sturgeon management.